All the News that’s Fit to Fabricate
Access to information on the unprecedented scale we enjoy today means that detrimentally, there is a lot of what has come to be known as fake news. This generally refers to events that did not actually happen – made up, invented, fabricated – or that did happen, but the reporting of the circumstances/details of events are based on false information, or deliberate statements of false facts. The use of faked interviews, misleading headlines, false learning from so-called experts, dramatic sympathy with the “underdog” against the system – what is known as yellow journalism.
The delivery and access to information these days is not just news media, but social media as well. For better or for worse, anyone can find an outlet for their priorities and opinions (present company included). The source for information regarding events of the world, however, remains in the hands of those who report The News. Gathering information from all four directions of the planet – north, east, west and south – is meant to keep the public informed regarding events at home and abroad. We tend to trust the reporters, and editors of what is reported, to tell us in an unbiased, impartial manner, what is happening. We also realize that that objectivity is jaded by an editorial agenda, and we tend to read and listen to the news outlet that coincide with our own personal agendas.
A particular slant is expected; to lie in order to strengthen the slant is, at best, unprofessional, at worst, criminal. There is no shortage of examples in our war against Hamas. There is also no shortage of news outlets – well-known and well-respected – that participate in the slander and libel. Those who stand against us gather these lies as evidence to support their position. It is here where the criminal element enters: the lives of Jews hang in the balance of the enemy that sees support for its mission to kill Jews and destroy Israel. And not just those of us held hostage, or fighting to free them. Those of us riding a bus, eating in a restaurant, shopping in a mall or driving in a car are endangered as well.
The damage this journalism does is not restricted to what is reported, but also includes what is not. Our enemies’ supporters will argue that the acts of terror committed against Israel are a legitimate resistance to the Zionist occupation of Arab lands that subjects the poor, hard-done-by, downtrodden Palestinians to massacres and genocide. No one – not one news outlet in any media platform, supplies an example of these claims. Interviewees who perpetuate them are not required to share further information, other than to declare that Israel is evil and has it coming.
The problem is exacerbated by the fact that none of Israel’s supporters demand that they do. There are many well known, well-respected supporters of Israel, Jewish and not, who let these slanders and libels go unchallenged. I have said this before (see the post, “Negating the Nonsense”) – the lies will continue as long as we let them. When confronted with the fabrications, call them out. The haters will continue to hate. Armed with more information, the average news consumer will be able to actually consider the positions more accurately